Meet the Creative Team behind
Abstract Asian Dinner
Chef Kristina Zhao
Owner of two restaurants in San Antonio, Kristina combines recipes of her Asian heritage with local ingredients to fashion creative and surprising menus. She represented San Antonio as an ambassador at the Chengdu International Food Festival and serves as a culinary consultant to the San Antonio Visitors Bureau. She encourages everyone to nourish their souls through the environment and food they create.
Meet the Creative Team behind
Texas Ranch Dinner
Chef Angela Mancino
Angela was recently named the runner-up for the Texas Restaurant Association’s Rising Star Award. Owner of three restaurants in Fredericksburg – the Sunset Grill, Woerner Warehouse, and Granite House Lounge, Angela crafts her menus around local, fresh ingredients and loves preparing traditional meals of the Texas Hill Country.
Artist Lesli Marshall
With an art degree from Brookhaven College, Lesli’s work as a mixed-media artist includes large murals in the headquarters building of Facebook. Her design company, Articulation Art, creates memorable art-themed environments in buildings and public spaces throughout the U.S.
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Meet the creative team behind
Country French Wine Dinner
Chef Lorie Fangio
Lorie Fangio is a culinary instructor and founder of A Taste of Paris culinary trips. She shares her extensive knowledge of French food and culture through cooking classes, regular tv appearances, writing for local publications and speaking engagements. She is also a food blogger encouraging busy families to connect around the dinner table with simple recipes.
Artist Teresa Krieger
Teresa Krieger is a retired Occupational Therapist and full-time professional artist. She feels that mixed media art is useful in her exploration into imagination and reality. Mixed-media artwork is a perfect combination of both laboratory science and art, reflecting both her past academic studies as well as her lifelong passion for artistic design.
Meet the Creative team behind
A Texas Panhandle Dinner
Artist Kasey Tam
Chef Livia Woodburn
A native of Amarillo, Livia first worked professionally as a graphic designer. She found herself applying her creative skills in the kitchen while catering parties for friends and family and decided to embark on a new career. She is now owner of Pan-Handlers Café and Catering, known for its fresh, local food. She also serves as chef for the Amarillo National Bank’s Executive Dining Room.
Meet the Creative Team behind
Elegant New Orleans Dinner
Artist Sarah Manning
Art has been a part of Sarah’s life from an early age. Her mother, who was an art teacher, introduced her to the paintbrush and it quickly became a life-long interest. She holds an art degree from the University of Mississippi and paints and exhibits in the Dallas area. Her primary painting style uses a masking technique with acrylic paint and mixed media.
Meet the Creative Team behind
A Mexican Caribbean Dinner
Chef Beto Lira
Clasically trained, Beto served as Executive Chef of the One Esca Restaurant Group before moving to Ruins Restaurant in the historic Deep Ellum neighborhood in Dallas. A native of Mexico, Beto loves to cook with the ingredients and flavors of the country’s many regions.
Meet the creative team behind
World Art Traditions Dinner
Artist Barbara Mason
An award-winning artist who exhibits and travels both nationally and internationally, Barbara is a signature member of the pastel society of America. She combines realism with vibrant color and abstract forms to put a modern twist on traditional themes and images to capture the viewer’s curiosity and imagination. Her world travels and exposure to diverse art traditions in different cultures inspired her table design for the episode.
Chef Taylor Rause
A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Taylor learned from family dinners growing up that food can transport you places; it can invoke feelings and memories; and it can change your mood with just one bite. This is his culinary philosophy. Taylor’s training in the diverse downtown culinary scene of Raleigh immersed him in a variety of food traditions and techniques. This broad knowledge and exposure profoundly impacted his approach to cooking.
Meet the Creative Team behind
Classic Italian Dinner
Chef Nicola Blaque
Born in Jamaica, Nicola strives to elevate and modernize Caribbean food at her two restaurants in San Antonio. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Nicola spent 10 years in the Army before opening her first restaurant. She was named a 2023 James Beard Best Chef: Texas Semifinalist.
Artist Alyssa Danna
With a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Texas San Antonio, Alyssa’s technique of transforming every-day objects into themed artistic compositions has earned her a devoted following in the community. She currently creates and installs elaborate living displays at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.